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Uranium mill may be built in Paradox Valley

The first uranium mill to be built in the United States in at least 25 years is now before Colorado officials, who have a little more than a year to act on it.

Energy Fuels Resources Corp. is proposing to build the 500-ton-per-day mill in western Colorado’s Paradox Valley.

The radiation-control program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has begun its 30-day determination of whether the company’s application is complete.

The state’s review is intended to protect public health and the environment, said Steve Tarlton, radiation-program manager. “Our review will consider short- and long-term impacts of the proposed mill, including radiological and non-radiological impacts to water, air and wildlife, as well as economic, social and transportation-related impacts.”

Once the radiation program determines the application is complete, Energy Fuels must conduct the first of two required public meetings within 45 days. It must conduct a second public meeting within 30 days of the first.

Montrose County, meanwhile, has 90 days from the first public meeting to submit to the state its review of the environmental report included in the company’s application.

The state Health Department can act on the application within 270 days of the county’s response or within 360 days of the second public meeting, if the county has no response.

Energy Fuels’ application is available on the Web at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/ rad/rml/energyfuels/index.htm and at the Nucla Public Library, 544 Main St., and Montrose County Planning and Development, 317 S. Second St.

Public comments will be accepted throughout the review process.

People may comment about the application at public meetings, by e-mail to cdphe.hm .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by writing to Steve Tarlton or Warren Smith at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Radiation Program, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver 80246-1530.

State officials will conduct yet-to-be-announced public meetings in communities affected by the mill.